Accessibility

LOCOG and the ODA are committed to ensuring that London 2012 is everyone's Games, with services and facilities to meet all accessibility requirements.

Accessibility

Our aim has always been to provide a wide range of services and ticket products for disabled people, tailored to the needs of people rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach. LOCOG and the ODA are committed to ensuring that London 2012 is everyone’s Games, with services and facilities to meet all accessibility requirements.

Applying for tickets

You can apply for tickets for the London 2012 Olympic Games from Tuesday 15 March until 11.59pm on Tuesday 26 April 2011. Applications for Paralympic tickets open on 9 September.

Our ticketing process breaks new ground in terms of accessibility and inclusion, so that disabled people can apply for tickets like anyone else on our website or by post using the paper ticket application form. BSL videos are available to make the process accessible to Deaf people and an easy read document is available to help simplify the process. If you use technology such as a screen reader, there is no need to make a call to a special phone line. It’s simply about choosing the tickets you want to apply for in order to have a great Games experience.

The following ticket types will be available and can be purchased for every session, at every venue, in every price category, subject to availability:

Ticket types

Standard seat with an additional accessibility requirement

When applying for tickets online, you indicate how many tickets you want to apply for then click on the additional accessibility requirement link and choose a location in the venue which suits your needs from the following options

Seats close to the action for visually impaired people.

Seats with a direct view of a video screen for people who are deaf or have impaired hearing.

Seats for people who cannot manage many steps, at the back or the front of a stand.

Seats for people who need to be on the end of a row.

If your application for tickets is successful, we will do all we can to ensure you and your party are allocated seats which suit your needs.

Wheelchair space ticket

You can apply for a wheelchair space online without the need to call a special phone line or answer intrusive questions. If your application is successful, you will be provided with a wheelchair space wide enough to accommodate your wheelchair or mobility scooter, and an adjacent companion seat.

Spaces for wheelchair users are available for spectators at all venues, in all ticket price categories, across all 26 Olympic sports, subject to availability. A companion seat is included in the cost of a ticket for a wheelchair space. If you apply for tickets for accompanying family or friends, they will be seated next to or as close as possible to the wheelchair space and companion seat.

Ticketcare

This scheme is only for those disabled people who do not need a wheelchair space but cannot come to the Games without a carer or Personal Assistant (PA).

If you need a carer or PA, you apply for a standard seat and any other tickets you would like. If sessions are over-subscribed we will run an automated and random selection process (‘ballot’) to ensure the fairest possible distribution and allocation of tickets on a session-by-session basis. If your application is successful, you can apply for an additional carer or PA ticket. You may be asked to provide relevant proof before the additional carer ticket is allocated. These tickets will be available for every session, at every venue, in every price category, subject to availability.

Once applications have been processed and payment taken from successful applicants, customers will be required to contact Ticketing customer services to request an additional carer ticket free of charge. Those who are successful in the application process but, due to high demand, are not allocated a free of charge carer ticket will be offered the option of retaining their standard tickets or receiving a full refund.

Accessibility services

To ensure everyone can get to the Games safely and easily, London 2012 will provide a number of additional services for disabled people. These will include a limited number of pre-booked parking spaces, accessible shuttle bus options and accessibility improvements to some public transport services.

Parking

If your application for tickets is successful, you can then apply for parking. Parking is limited and disabled spectators who require parking will be asked to demonstrate that they are members of the recognised UK Blue Badge scheme, or an equivalent national scheme.

Games Mobility

Once inside a venue, disabled spectators will be able to make use of Games Mobility for help with getting around. This free service will be easy to find inside the venue and will loan out manual wheelchairs and mobility scooters and guide visually impaired people to their seats.

Other services and facilities

We are making our venues as accessible as possible to ensure everyone has a great Games experience. Other services and facilities include:

A Changing Places (adult changing) toilet at all venues including a hoist.

Assistance dog spending areas so that disabled spectators can bring their dog into the venue.

Spectator information in accessible formats.

Audio description and commentary at all venues. We are working with the RNIB to deliver this.

Audio augmentation for hearing aid users at all venues.

Accessible accommodation

There are many hotels in London with step-free access and accommodation adapted for people with various accessibility requirements.

The inclusive London website provides information about the accessibility features of hundreds of hotels, restaurants, pubs, shops, and tourist attractions across the capital. It also states whether hearing loops available, if there are baby changing facilities, whether assistance dogs are welcome and offers details of parking and toilet facilities. Users can post reviews and feedback on the facilities they have used.